Sunday, January 31, 2016

We are still around two weeks off from the New York International Toy Fair, where everything that's been under wraps to photographers attending shows around the world will be unveiled and ready to debut! While that seems like a lifetime to wait, we'll still do our best to bring you the latest news drops, toy company teases, and straight up reveals as they present themselves to us. Today, we've got one such unveiling of a line we've seen a fair amount of official pics for...but as every collector knows, the difference between a prototype image made pretty for public consumption and the finished product you can hold in your hand can be two different planets entirely. That said, Matt from JediNews gives us a look at how Hasbro's Captain America: Civil War toy line turned out!

BATTLE!! Seems to be a reoccurring theme in most movie toy lines these days! Even if you aren't a big gamer, it should be obvious a movie called WARCRAFT is going to feature dudes in armor smacking each other around with giant medievely weapons. Based on the mega popular video game franchise (aka eater of lives), Warcraft does indeed feature dudes in armor, but also massive orcs with battle axes and such, so this cast is diverse! Here's a little movie background...

The peaceful realm of Azeroth stands on the brink of war as its civilization faces a fearsome race of invaders; Orc Warriors fleeing their dying home to colonize another. As a portal opens to connect the two worlds, one army faces destruction and the other faces extinction. From opposing sides, two heroes are set on a collision course that will decide the fate of their family, their people and their home. So begins a spectacular saga of power and sacrifice in which war has many faces, and everyone fights for something.

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Last night, as we sat trying to understand Freakazoid...really...really hard, we wondered if there were any DC Comics cartoons left on TV beyond those screaching, arm flailing muppets from Teen Titans Go! Today, there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

There’s a new DC Animated Series on the way… and this one’s all about the action. Justice League Action is a brand new, quarter-hour series from Warner Bros. Animation that will be coming soon to Cartoon Network.

Featuring the return of Kevin Conroy as Batman, the Dark Knight will join with Superman and Wonder Woman and the rest of DC’s iconic team of heroes in a series that promises to put the action back in heroics. Whether defending the Earth, facing invaders from space, or battling the bizarre forces of magic, the always-rotating team of Justice League heroes, are up to any challenge. Episodes will be eleven minutes in length, meaning that the action will be tightly-paced and exciting. And awesome!

Angry Birds...the world wide mobile game sensation SO MASSIVE you'd be hard pressed to find many people on the planet who haven't heard about it. They've melded with the iconic Star Wars universe, and your favorite robots in disguise, the Transformers, taking them one more step forward to being a household name. Now, with a movie on the way this May 20th, it's time for licensees to step forward and celebrate the most important bird vs pig war ever waged.

Spin Master is the focus of our attention today, folks! If you are a casual collector or only delve into super hero plastics, this massive company may be unfamiliar to you, but one look at their excellent sculpts on the How to Train Your Dragons line and you'll agree that ANY property is more than safe in their hands. That said, with a license like Angry Birds, we expect nothing more than spot on likenesses and tons of innovative fun from this group...and they did not disappoint.

Friday, January 29, 2016

We had some oddball cartoons on TV when we were kids. One particular cartoon featured a kid who could turn into a car when he got hot and bothered. ...It was a weird time. The fact that humanoid lifeforms transforming into inanimate object is border-line disturbing has never stopped toy makers from using this gimmick for popular characters from comic books, cartoons and movies. Some are instantly forgotten...and some become legend (i'm looking at you Punisher who's crotch is a gun). Just last year, Playmates released a wave of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles who transformed into their signature weapons! This year, they went a bit further...

UK Toy Fair has closed its doors and Nuremberg is chugging away, but that doesn't mean we don't get reports from other parts of the globe as well. Today we're going to check out the new toys coming out for Dreamworks' Kung Fu Panda 3...presumably everywhere! Since we are seeing global releases, it's been difficult to pin down the manufacturer of each item, so we'll note the manufacturer when we have that information. The movie releases TODAY in the states, so we are sure to see plenty of toy announcements very soon. Actually it's surprising they aren't already in stores...

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Beast Boy. Raven. Robin. Blue Beatle. Starfire. These are familiar names from the ranks of the Teen Titans of DC Comics, but their appearance in Justice League Vs Teen Titans is going to be a bit different from what we remember. Our crew of misfit super heroes feel lost in the world, especially in their own families, but form bonds with each other despite age differences and background.

HEY KIDS! Did you love the NEW52? Are you super excited that DC Comics is going to change their whole universe again, very soon?? Would you like to see modern, gritty revamps of all your favorite childhood cartoon? OF COURSE YOU DO! (hahahaaaa...we kid. We have no idea what awful things DC is going to do to your favorite characters) DC Comics suggests you buckle your seatbelts and, politely, hold onto your butts...for what we are about to show you next.

If you’re a fan of classic Hanna-Barbera, then you’re going want to head to your nearest comic shop this spring to scoop up the new line of comics based on some of their most classic cartoons. But don’t expect more of the same—these are new visions of the classic toons, injected with current sensibilities and aimed at the teen-plus set. But don’t you worry, purists. While the concepts may be reimagined, the heart and soul of the classic animation remains intact.

Acclaimed actor Harrison Ford, who portrays Han Solo in the “Star Wars” film franchise, gives viewers an exclusive preview of Star Wars-themed lands being developed at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. New details of the ambitious plans to bring Star Wars to life at both resorts will be revealed during “The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60,” with Master of Ceremonies Derek Hough, airing SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on the ABC Television Network.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

NECA runs a tight ship. Getting a piece of exclusive news these days...or any piece of news to run before NECA has announced it officially...well...it doesn't happen. It should come as no surprise that UK Toy Fair was void of most NECA releases, but we did get a trio of soon to be released Aliens in package, and that's as good as it gets! We've got two Aliens vs Predator Aliens (Grid Alien and Warrior Alien) and one 79' Concept Alien.

Retro appeal means big bucks these days. When I go out into the world to sell toys, I notice people love anything that will give them flashbacks...and this is something every toy company knows well! Jazwares hopes to cash in on a newly returned cartoon hero, debuting this year at Toy Fair.

With
over 3.6 million viewers in its first six weeks on CBBC, the all-new
TV series of Danger Mouse has been a ratings triumph amongst boys
aged 4-9. Ready to replicate this on-screen success, Jazwares is set
to feed the fan demand for Danger Mouse toys with a range as exciting
and action-packed as the series itself!

Designed
to propel the humour and fun off the screen and into front rooms
across the land, kids of all ages are invited to immerse themselves
in the international secret agent’s world when the first line-up of
toys arrives in March. There is a fully articulated 10” Danger
Mouse figure (RRP £19.99)
that comes complete with a removable jet pack and 5 authentic show
sayings. As well as a range of collectible 3” figures (RRP £7.99)
including Danger Mouse, Penfold, Baron Greenback, Colonel K and
Stiletto, each one armed with its own accessory and perfect for
re-enacting favourite storylines and episodes!

Spin Master are always surprising us with licenses you wouldn't normally expect and games that are seem so entertaining, adults immediately put them on their wish list with plans to add drinking to the rules. This year we'll see piles of plush for both new films and retro properties alike, robots, flying vehicles and more. Let's get into it...Licences you should be keeping an eye on with Spin Master include Secret life of Pets, Powerpuff Girls, Angry Birds (movie and game), Abby Hatcher Monster Catcher, Rusty Rivets and a re-launch of Bakugan! Abby Hatcher and Rusty Rivets seem to be original IP's. Expect to see something animated from Rusty in 2016, and Abby in 2017, though mayyybe we'll see toys sooner? No clue what's going on with Powerpuff Girls, as we'd heard Spin Master snapped up the licence a while back and so far...nothing. We'll keep watch. There's also a slight possibility Spin Master have Kung Fu Panda 3.

Monday, January 25, 2016

CBS Consumer Products and ReedPOP, the world’s largest producer of pop culture events, are teaming up to launch an all-new original Star Trek fan experience in the birthplace of the Star Trek convention with Star Trek: Mission New York in 2016.

This three-day event will be the ultimate destination for Star Trek fans, filled with interactive exhibits, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panels, screenings and much more. Its creation adds to a year filled with Star Trek events and experiences celebrating the franchise’s milestone 50th anniversary.

Living Dead Dolls have been around far longer than most lines that were birthed around that same time period. They've survived the creepy plush toy wars, bouts of horror action figures coming in and out of fashion and witnessed several toy companies folding before their feet. Suffice to say, these timeless undead kiddies live up to their names! Now Mezco roll out their 2016 releases, showing there is no end to their creepy imaginings ...the horror licenses that can be translated into adorable plastics... and absolutely no way to stop a Living Dead Doll! Let's take a look at what's to come...

Seems everyone wants a piece of Five Nights at Freddy's these days! At Target the other day, I spotted blind packaged mini figures and mini plush keychains. Funko has a whoooole line of items dropping in the near future including action figures, plush, pencil toppers, mystery minis and more. Now McFarlane takes a slice of the spooky pie, adding Five Nights to their building set line, which currently boasts Game of Thrones and Walking Dead collections!

UK Toy Fair is roaring along now and our friends on the show floor are eyeballing the latest in geeky plastics and plush. McFarlane Toys generally doesn't show much in their space at their UK Distributor Star Images' booth, but this year, I suppose they want to amp up the excitement! A new line of action figures called the Redcap Collection was premiered, featuring licenses including the new Assassin's Creed movie and video game, video games Titan Fall, Gears of War and Mass Effect, Anime Attack on Titan, Naruto and Tokyo Ghoul and returning to the pegs for the first time in many year.... the comic book anti-hero SPAWN!!

With a display flashing back to McFarlane's original Spawn toy premiere at Toy Fair many moons ago, all (most?) of their items at Star Images are mock ups, so it is difficult to get a sense of the articulation, but the scale seems to be within their standard action figure size (see Walking Dead/ HALO). McFarlane have upped their action figure game significantly over the years, so i'm sure these will be welcome additions to many a casual and old school toy collection. NOW LET'S DROOL!! ...

Sunday, January 24, 2016

As London Toy Fair kicks off, we get our first report from Matt of Jedinews, who dropped in on Half Moon Bay to shoot a billion pictures of all their Star Wars merchandise (naturally) and stuck around to snap some shots of the rest of their geeky items for us! Such a nice boy. This years products include character aprons, posh gig bags, clever mugs, TARDIS tins that are bigger on the inside, Chewbacca tins for all your Wooie Cookies and a host of other killer merch featuring the worlds of Disney, Harry Potter, the Muppets, DC Comics, Doctor Who and ...of course... Star Wars! Let's check out what was on display...

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Remember when we wrote that article profiling all the new Batman vs Superman toys hitting retail now? We showed off a Batman and Superman vs Lex Luthor in a robo-suit, with a note that it doesn't necessarily mean it is in the movie. Yes, the company went to great lengths to put the Lexcorp logo on the chest of the suit, but toy companies often get some leeway from licensors in creating "original" concepts for outfits and weapons included in each figure hanging on the pegs. Usually it's obvious that these outfits won't be featured in the film, as dayglow green isn't a good look on Batman, and a giant bear trap is not the most ninja-like (or humane) way to catch those cowardly criminals. Today, those are the types of figures we'll be looking at!

Mattel's Batman vs Superman 6 inch basic action figure line is sure to be packed with an endless sea of Bats and Supes in every color of the rainbow by the time the film is knocked back to 10 bucks on DVD at Walmart, but for now, the color choices and accessories aren't half bad! Take a look at...

Friday, January 22, 2016

There have been many companies that have attempted the MEGO cloth retro figure format before, and some are still utilizing this model successfully. Figures company has made expanding the lines we remember from our childhood an art form. Diamond Select takes a similar approach, playing on our MEGO loves in tripple packs showing our favorite heroes in classic, alter ego and modern looks. Bif Bang Pow takes the model into the modern age, bringing a wealth of the newest TV and Movie licenses to toy shelves alongside older cult movies that never got proper toy love. NECA, on the other hand, are going for a more high end looking, low price approach. Consider their retro cloth figures a smaller scale Hot Toys alternative. These things may not have 6 alternate hands and moving eyes, but you can't deny the detail in sculpt as well as costuming...and the price point is amazing.

What's also creating a solid buzz is the license selection happening for NECA's retro cloth figure line. We've had icons of horror, scifi blockbuster films, and now Quentin Tarantino's newest bit of insanity The Hateful Eight gets the toy line no one saw coming. These figures practically beg for an old school 80's commercial with little turtleneck wearing kids cursing at each other before they pretend to gun down the other's action figure. Hours of fun!

Roadhouse Interactive, 50cc Games and Metal legends Iron Maiden are pleased to announce that Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast, an action-packed, free-to-play RPG steeped in Iron Maiden mythology, will launch worldwide this summer on iOS and Android platforms.

Following a series of hit action sports titles for Red Bull Media House,Warhammer 40,000: Carnage,a Games Workshop ARPG, andFood Battle: The Gamefor YouTube sensations SMOSH,Roadhouse Interactive's development and publishing divisions have been working hand in hand with Iron Maiden and their Phantom Music Management team, who have granted unparalleled access to the vaults in order to create a truly authentic Iron Maiden game.

The exclusives to the big outlets have begun! This is the time of year we grumble the loudest as the websites who support the toy companies the most sit around while giant mega entertainment websites get exclusive news they really don't care about. FUN! I'm not bitter though. (lil bit) IGN kicks things off with a fairly in depth look at a good chunk of the Captain America: Civil War toys from Hasbro. We've got 6 inch Marvel Legends, 3.75 inch figures (which are also called Legends now), and 2.5 inch figures and playsets.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

For those that prefer their favorite Star Wars movie characters squishy, soft and cuddly...and rolled up like an odd lil inedible burrito, we present...Star Wars TSUM TSUM! Yes kids, now you can re-enact all your favorite scenes from the epic Star Wars motion pictures..like that time Jar Jar Biks rolled into Anakin's Pod Racer blowback and because Akakin Tsum Tsum has no arms or legs, he couldn't turn off the Pod before Jar Jar was fried to a crisp! HAhahahaha. Such fun.

We've just been drooling over a really fun new trailer for Warner Bros. upcoming Suicide Squad feature film, so it's time to check out DC Collectibles' lineup of statues based of your favorite bad guys turned good guys! Before you ask, no, we haven't seen the action figures yet, but they are inevitable.

It feels good to be bad…Assemble a team of the world’s most dangerous, incarcerated Super Villains, provide them with the most powerful arsenal at the government’s disposal, and send them off on a mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity. U.S. intelligence officer Amanda Waller has determined only a secretly convened group of disparate, despicable individuals with next to nothing to lose will do. However, once they realize they weren’t picked to succeed but chosen for their patent culpability when they inevitably fail, will the Suicide Squad resolve to die trying, or decide it’s every man for himself?

Back into Toy Fair 2016 coverage with our friends at Diamond Select. In a world where companies take on licenses and make core characters, leaving a ton of fan favorites un-attended as they move onto the next big thing, Diamond Select jumps in and does everything right the first time around...sculpt..paint..character selection..it's all fantastic, proving the crew behind each release are fans as well as awesome at their jobs. Want mini sized pop culture icons? Diamond Select has MINIMATES!! ..little blocky versions of your favorite characters from movies, video games, cartoons and comic books. Let's check out what they've got lined up for 2016...

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

This morning, The Walt Disney Studios announced new release dates for upcoming films from two of its major franchises.

Star Wars: Episode VIII, originally scheduled for release on May 26, 2017, will now debut on December 15, 2017. The move follows the extraordinary success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which was the first Star Wars movie to premiere in December. In the popular holiday moviegoing corridor, it smashed numerous records, including biggest domestic and global debuts of all time as well as the biggest domestic second and third weekends, en route to becoming the highest grossing domestic release of all time with over $861M and the third biggest global release ever with $1.887B.

Epic Pictures announced today that they will release a special “Ultra Turbo Charged Collector’s Edition” Blu-Ray/DVD set of Turbo Kid on January 25th 2016. “‘Certified Fresh’” by Rotten Tomatoes, Turbo Kid premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival to strong critical acclaim and racked up multiple awards on the film festival circuit, including the Midnight Audience Award at 2015’s SXSW Film Festival, the Audience Award at the 2015 Fantasia International Film Festival, and the Best Feature Audience Award at Fantaspoa 2015. The film was released in August 2015, by Epic Pictures Releasing, Epic Pictures Group’s U.S. distribution division.

Turbo Kid follows “The Kid,” (Munro Chambers) an orphan left to survive on his own through drought-ridden nuclear winter, traversing the Wasteland on his BMX, scavenging for scraps to trade for a scant supply of water in a 1997, ruined post-apocalyptic world. When his perpetually chipper, pink-haired new best friend Apple (Laurence Leboeuf) is kidnapped by a minion of evil overlord Zeus (Michael Ironside), The Kid summons the courage of his comic book hero and prepares to deliver turbocharged justice to Zeus, his buzzsaw-handed sidekick Skeletron, and their vicious masked army.

Following an initial release this past December, Anchor Bay Entertainment announced today the latest inventive and heart-racing AMC original series “Fear the Walking Dead: The Complete First Season” arrives on SPECIAL EDITION on March 22, 2016. Created by Robert Kirkman (“The Walking Dead”) and Dave Erickson (“Sons of Anarchy”), “Fear the Walking Dead”, premiered in August as the #1 show in cable history. These 2-disc sets with collectible lenticular packaging include hours of bonus content including 5 deleted scenes, 7 newly produced featurettes and audio commentaries on every episode.

Living in the same universe as “The Walking Dead”, “Fear the Walking Dead” is a gritty drama that explores the onset of the undead apocalypse through the lens of a fractured family. Set in Los Angeles, a city where people come to escape, shield secrets, and bury their pasts, a mysterious outbreak threatens to disrupt what little stability high school guidance counselor Madison Clark (Kim Dickens, Gone Girl) and English teacher Travis Manawa (Cliff Curtis, “Missing”) have managed to assemble. The everyday pressure of blending two families while dealing with resentful, escapist, and strung out children takes a back seat when society begins to break down. A forced evolution, a necessary survival of the fittest takes hold, and the dysfunctional family must either reinvent themselves or embrace their darker histories.

How do you pull on an aging geek's heart strings? Queen. Bohemian Rhapsody. That is all you need, really. Add some snappy dialogue, a good look at a lot of heavy DC baddies we all grew up with and blammo....you've got magic. Maybe even enough to ignore Jokerleto's shiny grill! Maybe. Check out that beautiful title art! I'd watch this movie on the strength of that alone. (art nerd)

It feels good to be bad… Assemble a team of the world’s most dangerous, incarcerated Super Villains, provide them with the most powerful arsenal at the government’s disposal, and send them off on a mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity. U.S. intelligence officer Amanda Waller has determined only a secretly convened group of disparate, despicable individuals with next to nothing to lose will do. However, once they realize they weren’t picked to succeed but chosen for their patent culpability when they inevitably fail, will the Suicide Squad resolve to die trying, or decide it’s every man for himself? Cue the music...

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Did you know there was a Dawn of the Justice League TV Special happening tonight? NEITHER DID I!! Apparently there will be previews of the Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice movie, the Wonder Woman movie, and a brand new Suicide Squad trailer ...so says Kevin Smith, the world's newest celeb geek reporter and host of this event. Tune in to the CW tonight at 9:30 (eastern) where ALL WILL REVEALED!! Not really..but maybe some little bits will be revealed, and the numbers will prove to WB they should have greenlit a Wonder Woman movie a long time ago.

Check the new art to the left, revealing Cyborg and Flash alongside Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman. Now we just need a look at Green Lantern...

Spider-Man recruits a new team and the Avengers reunite to face-off against their greatest adversaries yet in action-packed new seasons on Disney XD. "Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man Vs. The Sinister 6" returns for a fourth season with a special one-hour premiere on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21 (9:00 a.m. EST) while the third season of "Marvel's Avengers: Ultron Revolution" premieres on SUNDAY, MARCH 13 (8:30 a.m. EST).

In season four of "Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man Vs. The Sinister 6," Peter Parker finds himself in prime position – he's a successful hero after fighting alongside The Avengers, a S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy leader and has a great relationship with his Aunt May. However, when Spidey discovers that his greatest enemies – Doctor Octopus, Hydra and the all-new Sinister 6 – have teamed up to destroy him and S.H.I.E.L.D., he creates a special new team of Spiders, including Miles Morales, Agent Venom, Iron Spider and the mysterious new Scarlet Spider. Spider-Man and his new friends will need to wield all of their power to overcome their greatest challenge yet.

Friday, January 15, 2016

Toy Fair 2016 coverage marches on with a look at some new releases from 2 lines that are said to be mostly geared toward kids...but occasionally ropes in a larger than normal child (i'm looking at you..and me, tbh.) Really all Hasbro needs to do is keep feeding my translucent figure addiction and i'll be down for a Marvel Masher or 3 yearly! As you see below, they've done just that. Sneaksy hobitses. Before we dive into Mashers, let's take a look at Hasbro's Avengers figures...

If your thinking was "never" or "only in your wildest fever dreams" would you ever get that Cloverfield movie sequel...you're about to be pleasantly surprised. Maybe shocked even! While the mischievous JJ Abrams is basking in the afterglow of a little movie called Star Wars: The Force Awakens and is probably getting ready for the full promotion push for the next Star Trek epic, Paramount got all ninja like and dropped a teaser for another Abrams film called "10 Cloverfield Lane", onto their newest release "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi". Normally this would signify a long agonizing wait reaching into the back end of 2016 or even 2017 as we get little viral hints and elaborate scavenger hunts for video clips, but, no...it's done. In the can, as they say...and coming this March!

HEY KIDS! Are you crazy big fans of Rick and Morty!! Did you see the Mr Meeseeks frazzled n on the edge plush toy Jinx! sent over last year and thought I NEED MORE ROCK AND MORTY THINGS TO BUYYYYY!!! Well Cryptozoic (masters of unique table top gaming experiences) have come to make your boring lives just a wee bit more interesting. All you have to do is push..a...button.

It's the Rick and Morty - Mr Meeseeks Box O’Fun Dice and Dares Game!

Do you have a problem that needs fixing and you just don’t know where to start? Perhaps there’s some task that’s beneath you. Then why not hit the button on your Meeseeks Box, summon up a Meeseeks (or three or eight) and let them help you out? That’s their purpose! They want you to succeed and only get slightly angry if you don’t.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

You've seen the movie now..what..6 times? You've carefully formulated and written 20 page essays on why Kylo Ren is, in fact, not a "whiny emo boy". You've snapped up every Force Awakens item Hasbro, JAKKS, Hallmark, Funko and the rest of the Star Wars Cabal has thrown out there...and now it's time for MORRRRE!!

Disney today revealed details of new Star Wars: The Force Awakens products kept under wraps to preserve surprises for fans. With the film now breaking box office records and storylines officially revealed, new toys, collectibles and more are rolling out at Disney Store locations and mass retailers nationwide.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens has made instant icons of new characters like Rey, Finn and Kylo Ren. We're excited to share an incredible range of products that celebrates these fantastic new heroes and villains, allowing fans to take some movie magic home," said Paul Southern, Senior Vice President, Star Wars Licensing, Disney Consumer Products.

As a collector of Marvel Legends (or really any modern action figure line), the hunt can be brutal. Miss a figure during it's retail window and you must pay the Ebay demons. Miss that hiked up run and a figure can rocket to upwards of 300 dollars within in a few years. Gone are the days when you could hit KB Toys and raid their 3 for 10 bin, containing generic repacks of all of Toy Biz's heavy hitters... Color Changing Ice Man, Removable Mask Venom, Color Changing Sue Storm (they really liked the color changing gimmick!)...they were all in there. Most of the time, if you missed a figure the first time around and the price jumped, you'd get a second shot at it. The packaging was different and the paint might have been slightly altered, but it was YOURS. Now, Hasbro might be giving us a hint at those glory days returning with a new wave of "Best of Avengers" containing all those movie stars you missed in Exclusive Walmart waves and boxed sets too rich for your wallet.

Back into our Toy Fair 2016 coverage... LEGO let loose their 2016 catalog and now Funko follows suit with art for new additions to their mega popular POP! Vinyl Figures, Dorbz, Mystery Minis, plush and a new toy category all together! Listings include additions to the Harry Potter, Futurama and Game of Thrones collections, new movie lines like Zootopia, Pride and Pejudice and Zombies, Independence Day and Clueless, video game merchandise for Fallout and Pac-Manl!! Let's check out the lot...

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

We've had full waves of LEGO Batman, more than a fair amount of Batman representation in the DC Super Heroes line and a now legendary showing in the LEGO movie and their accompanying building sets, but today, we get the first look at a massive set based on the classic Batman TV series! As the cult TV show turns 50, we can one hell of a box of bricks with builds including the Batcave, Batmobile, Batcopter and enough characters to recreate many a favorite episode. Here's the skinny...

Drive the villains out from Batman’s Batcave!

It’s back to the Batcave with this special set featuring iconic elements as seen in the classic 1960s Batman™ TV show. Answer emergency calls on the Batphone in Bruce Wayne’s private study. Then press the button under the bust of Shakespeare and open a sliding false bookcase to reveal the secret entrance to the Batcave. Change Bruce Wayne™ and Dick Grayson™ into Batman™ and Robin™ and slide down the Batpoles. Protect the Bat Lab’s Batcomputer from The Joker’s TNT attacks and test Catwoman™ with the lie detector machine. Fly the Batcopter with Robin and fire the flick missiles. Then drive the Batmobile or Batcycle and stop those villains escaping with the Batcave’s secrets!

For the first time ever on vinyl, Trey Parker's "Cannibal! The Musical" has been released by Banana Stand Records. The record, which was printed in a limited edition of 1000, comes brand new, in blood-drenched opaque red; it was announced today by Troma prexy and creator of ,"The Toxic Avenger", Lloyd Kaufman.

"Cannibal! The Musical!", the first feature film from the creators of South Park was released by Troma Films in 1996. The film is the true story of the only person ever convicted of cannibalism in America- Alferd Packer. The sole survivor of an ill-fated trip to the Colorado Territory, he tells his side of the harrowing tale to news reporter Polly Pry as he awaits his execution. His story goes like this: While searching for gold and love in the Colorado Territory , he and his companions lost their way and resorted to unthinkable horrors, all set to the tune of toe-tapping songs!

The controversy rages on, with said rage fueled by both camps. Half the planet questions the lack of Rey (arguably the main character of Star Wars: The Force Awakens) representation on shelves in toy stores, on T shirts and anywhere else you might see a geeky Star Wars thing. The other half questions this notion, having done a bit of googling and finding, at the very least, an impressive horde of Rey items rivaling any female hero that has come before her. While both sides are right in their own perspective, this story is more about where Rey is turning up, or rather, where she is not.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

It's no surprise to frequent toy collectors that Hasbro's Mashers series is something of a hit. The pop-apart action figures boast a depth of character selection that is extremely impressive for a figure line that's said to be aimed at smaller children. I own 3 myself; Deadpool (obviously), Venom and Iceman cast in translucent plastic...three I couldn't pass up. They are damn fun! Now Hasbro takes their Masher model and mini-sizes the action with Super Hero Mashers MICRO!

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Witness a very, very, very small bit of the battle between THE BAT and THE CAPE ...The Night and The Boy Scout...or rather more specifically in this clip...the alien vs the kick ass bat-ride! We knew this would be coming from fleeting footage in past trailers and the box art and action features on the just released Batmobile toy ...but seeing rhe Batmobile bounce off of Superman is way more fun in real time! Looking forward to watching Superman tear that ride's engine out!

Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

As all the things you loved from your youth is rolled out before you once more, as part of some revival or reboot or (God forbid)...a reimagining...it was only a matter of time before all the bands you loved were included in the merchandising that pulls on your heart strings. It's almost laughable that My Chemical Romance should be a part of such things, as it seems like only yesterday they were still playing on stages across the planet, but I suppose toys based on bands and famous musicians have always been a staple of any well rounded collection. Gerard Way now joins those plastic legions of Funko Pop! Vinyl Figures and dares you to not play "The Black Parade" in your head all day long after you gaze upon his vinyl beauty...

When last we visited the collectibles of Warner Bros' Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, we checked out a pile of items in stores now, and mostly from Mattel. Now Funko takes center stage! As we checked out the list of Pops, Vinyl Idolz and Mystery Minis, we noticed the first bits of merchandise may already be in stores. The first wave of Batman Vs Superman Pop! Vinyl Figures are available now, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, a Superman Soldier, Nightmare Desert Batman, Aquaman, and an Aquaman variant that may reveal a small movie detail... POSSIBLE SPOILERS IF YOU CONTINUE!

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Sometime in 2016, the Ultimate Spider-Man animated TV series returns to Disney XD, morphing into Spider-Man Vs. The Sinister Six. From advance art we saw on the walls of the Marvel booth at New York Comic Con, we know that Spider-Man will go up against Doc Ock, Rhino, Kraven the Hunter, Electro, Lizard and Green Goblin. Now we get a look at the new toy line and see who's on team Spidey!

The Ultimate Spider-Man and Avengers Assemble cartoons have been neck deep in hardcore comic book storylines...kiddified to an extent..and re-written just for the hell of it, of course. We've visited plenty of those comic Spider-Verse characters over the last year, and you'll be pleased to hear a small selection will be sticking around to join the fight.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Never underestimate Funko's ability to take any subject and make it 100% huggable. Harry Potter? Cute as a button. Game of Thrones? It's a SHAME how frikken adorable they are. Now Funko tackles the very super serious subject of Civil War...brother Vs Brother...in the Marvel Universe.

This means war! Captain America and Iron Man square off in Captain America: Civil War, coming to theaters this May! Former villain Winter Soldier and S.H.I.E.L.D Agent 13 are fighting for Captain America! The lethal Black Widow, mechanized War Machine, and newcomer, Black Panther, fight for Team Iron Man! Maybe the fiery Scarlet Witch will be forced to choose a side by Crossbones!

It's a new year, and as is custom, that means NEW LEGO SETS!! It's fantastic to see excitement building for LEGO again as my geeky generation ages and has children of their own...who they have to fight to keep away from their LEGO sets. I SAID THE DUPLO IS YOUR STUFF! DON'T TOUCH MY THINGS!!! Damn kids. They expect to get fed and clothed...and then they want your toys too. Arguably one of LEGO's biggest licenses is Star Wars and a little film called The Force Awakens is certainly cause for plenty of building...

Monday, January 4, 2016

Often, when we write about stop-motion animated feature films, we are chatting up our friends at LAIKA about quirky titles like Paranorman (with zombies) or Coraline (with the terrifying "Other Mother") or Box Trolls (with..you know..Trolls!) I don't wish to take anything away from the artistry Laika brings to this medium, but when the subject matter is about monsters, we are pretty sure we'll like it in the end. For this reason, i'm fairly intrigued by Anomalisa, which utilizes modern stop motion puppets to tell a story we would likely have overlooked if it was merely actors in an indie film. Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich) & Duke Johnson (Mary Shelly's Frankenhole) team up for the story of a man and a woman and a meeting that may have been destiny.

Friday, January 1, 2016

SPOILERS being the operative word in this article. Do NOT continue reading if you don't want elements of Batman Vs Superman ruined!
The trailer was...well...I don't want to call it epic, as it seemed more like the combination of many many elements swished around in a pot and flung against a wall ..you know..to see what sticks. We've got a world reeling after the colossal battle in Metropolis that ended when Superman nearly twisted General Zod's head off. Superman takes on an armored up Batman in scenes ripped right from the pages of The Dark Knight Returns and after a bit of a tussle, it seems they have bigger fish to fry with this film's version of Doomsday on a rampage. Wonder Woman ...and we assume, eventually, the rest of the soon-to-be members of the Justice League...step in to join the battle. We've been told this mini Doomsday isn't the only enemy the League will face in their first fight..and now new toys from Mattel may make it clear who steps up to beat down the forces of good.

Idle Hands strives for very little overhead, but we still run into expenses when covering the events you love, keeping our gear up to snuff and the basics ...like feeding ourselves. It's your contributions that help keep us running, so if you love what you read here and you want to see more of it, please chip in!